Shoe-stretching device.



-c. L. PAssmoaEi SHOE STRETCHING DEVICE. APPLICATION FILED JAR. 20, I917.

Patented Oct. 30,1917.

m M M imrrnn STATES "PATE T on ion; I

cHARLns LEWIS rnss vionn, or raorn'n'rjs'row v; ILLINOIS.

' SHOE-STRETCHING DEVICE.

menses.

To all whom z'tmayconcern: I L V.

Be it known that I, CHARLES L. Pass- MonE, acitizenof the United States, residing ,at Prophetstowm, in the county of Whiteside and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements Shoe-Stretching Devioes,'of which the followingis a specification,

This invention relates to shoe stretchers and particularly to devicesof sensitive and accurately adjustable character which may be, employed .to; stretch {particular h portions of shoes to relieve portions of the foot.

It is an object of the invention to make a shoe stretcher of the character described which is adapted to remain when set in position to produce a particular stretching efi'ect upon the shoe, so that the stretcher can be adjusted to stretch the shoe to just the amount desired, and left in the shoe until the leather has had time to respond adequately to the stretching efi'ect. It is a further object of the invention to make a device of the character described, in which the amount of pressure communicated to the shoe can be felt by the operator of the stretching device, who in operating the de vice soon learns just how much pressure to bring to bear to get the desired results without straining Further objects and advantages of the invention will appear as the description proceeds.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a perspective view of the invention in its preferred form.

Fig. 2 is an elevation of the invention showing the method of operation thereof.

The device comprises a substantial U-shaped member having a curved arm 1, adapted to go inside the shoe, a preferably straight arm 2 overlying the curved arm 1,

pressure up on certain and adapted to carry the device for operating outside the shoe. Arm 1 is provided with an enlarged head 3 and pivotally mounted at the bottom of the U-shaped frameis an arm 4:, terminating in a ring 5, the ring 5 and enlargement 3 cooperating on opposite sides of the leather to stretch a particular part of the shoe. Pivotally mounted upon the arm 2 is a cam element 6, provided with an operating handle 7 the cam element 6 bearing directly upon the pivotally mounted arm 4. A spring 8 tends to draw up the arm 4; and cause the same to follow the cam 6 Specification of Letters Patent.

the leather unduly.

at all times. In operation the device is Patented Oct. 30, 1917. Application filed January 20,-i917. Serial No. 143,478. l

grasped by the arm 2, the hand including in its grip thelever arm 7. I The arm 1 is then placed :inside the shoe, and the operator feels for the particular spot he wishes to stretch with the enlarged head; 5, which: can t be either seenor felt in passing over the inside of the shoe. When the enlargementS is located in the desired spot pressure isap- ,plie'dtof the lever arm 7, which Y causes the ring 5 to forcibly descend, pressing the lever d n ard nd; 0 t e en argement e3, stretching it to the desired extent.

It is to be particularly noted from the figuration of the cam 6 that the device will remain in any position in which it is set,

thus the leather canbe stretched as much as desired, and the operating handle released,

after which the device will remain set in the position into which it was forced, allowing the leather to permanently set without undue strain. The hand manipulation of the device is important also, for the reason that it makes it possible for an experienced I operator to feel the pressure being communicated to the leather, so that danger of straining or tearing the leather can be prevented. Having now described my invention, I claim V 3 1. An apparatus of theclass described, an arm adapted to be placed within the shoe, a cooperating member. adapted to cooperate with said arm from outside said shoe to stretch a portion of the same, a pivoted arm having means operatively associated therewith to operate upon said member to press it against. the shoe upon the operation of said pivoted arm, said means beingpro vided with an irregularly curved surface whereby it will positively lock said coop-' erating member in any one of a plurality of positions against the shoe to adjust and maintain the stretching pressure as desired.

2.'An apparatus of the class described, a U-shaped frame, one branch of which is adapted to be placed within the shoe, a member pivoted on said frame and having a portion adapted to cooperate in stretching a portion of the shoe, a pivoted arm mounted on the second branch of said U-shaped frame, and a cam between said pivoted arm and said pivoted member, said cam being operatively associated with said arm and adapted to be operated by the same whereby to press the pivoted member against the shoe.

8. An apparatus of the class described, a U-shaped frame, one branch of which is adapted to be placed Within the shoe, a member pivoted on said frame and having a portion adapted to cooperate in stretching a portionof the sho e, anarin mounted on the second branch of said U-shaped frame, a cam between said arin'and said 'pivo'ted member, said cam being operatively associated with said am and adapted "to be aperate-d thereby to press npon the pivoted member, and means to-caii'se said pivoted member to remain in contact with said cam, sai'd cam being so designed as to autostretching parts of -the 'devi'ce ny one'of a plurality of shoe stretching positions.

4. apparatus of the class described, a frame comp-rising two arms one of which operatiyely associated With the inner end of said pivoted arm for positively locking said cooperating member in any one of a plurality of positions against the shoe to adjust and maintain the stretching pres sure as desired.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name to this specification the presence "of two ivi'tne's'scs. nae-(zany maintain the cooperating shoe a CHARLES LEWIS PASSMORE.

Witnesses: I

1RIC'H-ARD G, ROTH,

' S. Amswoimi,

Gopie's of "this patent ina'j be obtained for five cents each, by. addressing the fiom miss ioner bi resents,

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